Cuban Neurology Science Born with the Revolution

In 1959 Cuba had only one neurologist and at present there are 250 specialists in that branco, explained today doctor Reinaldo Mustelier, president of the 1st National Neurology Congress.

The event inaugurated Tuesday in this southeastern city, 155 miles from Havana, is attended by around 150 Cuban specialists and 30 foreigners.

Mustelier heads the Section in the Cuban Society of Neurology and Neurosurgery, he told Prensa Latina that since the second half of the 90s, the specialty achieved national coverage.

The specialty dates back to 1962 in Cuban national health system and the formation of specialists began to strengthen from 1987 when the island had 75 neurologists, Mustelier added.

The national network integrates secondary attention services in the general hospitals of provincial capitals and terciary attention in the Havana Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, said the physician with 30 years experience in the latter institution.

Medical formation in that specialty is offered in Santa Clara and Santiago de Cuba.

As cerebral-vascular illnesses are the third cause of death among the Cuban population, we are working hard in prevention and treatment, stressed Mustelier.

Cuban scientists in that medical field participate in the work of several global institutions as the World League against Epilepsy and the International Associations of Motor Disorders, among others.

The Congress means a recognition to the work of the scientific institutions of this city, said the neurologist.

The event concluded this Thursday and was attended by famous neurologists of the United States, China, Lithuania, Ukraine and Canada.